The DWP has started issuing Winter Fuel Payments to households (Image: Getty)
Households across the UK are being urged to check their bank statements for a from the government this week.
The () has confirmed that will now start landing in pensioners’ bank accounts to help cover heating costs over the coming months.
The is worth up to £300 and is paid to people who were born before September 23, 1958, on certain benefits.
You must live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, and have been receiving at least one of the following during the qualifying week of September 16 to 22, 2024:
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Pension Credit
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Universal Credit
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income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
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income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
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Income Support
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Child Tax Credit
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Working Tax Credit
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If you qualify, you should have received a letter from the in October or November telling you how much you’ll get, as the amount is dependent on when you were born and your circumstances in the qualifying week.
The says you’ll get £200 if you were born between September 23, 1944 and September 22, 1958, and you’ll get £300 if you were born before September 23, 1944.
The payment will be credited to your bank account automatically from this week and will have a reference beginning with your National Insurance number, followed by the six digit code ‘ WFP’.
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Most payments are made in November or December and should arrive in your account by January 29, 2025 at the latest. If you don’t receive it by this date, you should contact the .
The is also urging pensioners on a low income to apply for Pension Credit before December 21, 2024, as all eligible claimants will get a of up to £300, as well as any backdated Pension Credit arrears.
The benefit is worth £3,900 on average per year and acts as a gateway to a wealth of other support, including Council Tax Reduction, NHS treatment costs and housing costs.